Youkilis is a free agent after finishing last season with the Chicago White Sox. Before that, he spent eight-plus seasons with the Boston Red Sox, playing primarily for new Indians manager Terry Francona.

Youkilis' well-publicized feud with former manager Bobby Valentine, his early struggles at the plate and rookie Will Middlebrooks' solid play all accelerated Youkilis' departure from Boston in 2012.

A June 24 trade to Chicago did not fully revive Youkilis' bat, however. He batted .236/.346/.425 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs in 80 games for the White Sox.

Antonetti told The Plain Dealer that the Indians are looking at a lot of players who are similar to Youkilis.

"There aren't many of those kind of guys that we haven't talked to," Antonetti said, adding that the Indians are also trying to fill a hole in the outfield.

Youkilis, 33, can also play third base, but Antonetti said the Indians want to give Lonnie Chisenhall "a full season of at-bats" at that position to continue his development.

"He's a guy who we think has a great future," Antonetti said of Chisenhall. "Now it's up to him on how quickly that happens by the work he puts in over the winter and how he approaches spring training."